Former Levittown youth coach admits raping girl, 11

Wednesday

Keith Peschen’s trial for the rape of an 11-year-old girl is over. He pleaded guilty Wednesday.

The former Levittown Lions Athletic Association youth football president now awaits sentencing. He’ll serve at least 10 to 20 years in a state prison, and could face more than 100 years.

Peschen, 38, of Peartree Drive in Falls, first appeared in Bucks County Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, and numerous other felonies. County Judge Wallace Bateman rejected the plea, because Peschen insisted he’d only raped the girl once, not numerous times, as prosecutors alleged.

Jury selection was about to begin before county Judge Diane Gibbons Wednesday afternoon when Peschen changed his mind and decided to plead guilty. He was taken back to Bateman’s courtroom for the hearing.

Peschen did not speak during the brief hearing. The victim was in the courtroom with family members but did not testify.

Peschen was arrested in November, shortly after the victim, now 17, told police he raped her several times over the course of two years, starting when she was 11.

The victim was a family friend who would often visit Peschen’s home to play with his two children. Prosecutor Michelle Laucella told the judge the girl was too scared to tell anyone during the times the attacks were happening.

The girl told police Peschen placed a pillow over her head and raped her at least three times at his home, and assaulted her in his car after offering her a ride home from sports practice.

With the girl’s consent, police listened in as she telephoned Peschen and confronted him about the rapes. Detectives say Peschen confessed and apologized to her.

But in court Monday, Peschen claimed he’d only raped the girl one time. His attorney, deputy public defender Kenneth Hone, did not say why Peschen changed his mind about standing trial. Hone also refused to answer questions after the hearing.

Peschen previously coached football for the Levittown Athletic Association. He will be sentenced in about 90 days, following a Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act assessment.

As a result of his plea, Peschen will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. He remains in Bucks County prison in lieu of $1 million cash bail while awaiting sentencing.

Laucella said she did not wish to comment on the case until Peschen is sentenced.